Local bakery reopens, following remodel

COLUMBUS — While her business may sport a new name and revamped interior, Columbus’ resident “cool mama” is still delivering the same warm, sweet and fluffy baked goods her customers have come to love over the past several years.

After a several month hiatus, local baker Martha Graber has returned to her kitchen to create the breads, pastries and other delicious items that have made her shop a Foothills destination. Last week, she and her daughter, Freida, reopened the family bakery at 6431 Highway 9 S., which they have renamed to Martha’s Amish Bakery.

The bakery, formerly known as Cool Mama’s Bakery, had been closed since late December for its annual winter hiatus. Over the past several months, Martha, Freida and the staff have completely renovated the business, installing new equipment in the kitchen and new furnishings in the dining room, which gives the bakery a more open, inviting atmosphere, they said.

In spite of the break, many of Martha’s longtime customers have returned in short order to purchase their old favorites, including her trademark sourdough bread, cinnamon rolls and donuts. Along with her muffins, scones and other freshly baked goods, Martha also sells a variety of jarred pickles and bottled sauces, including her homemade lime pickles, which customers crave for their sweet taste and ultra-crisp bite, Freida said.

The shop has also began serving sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, with customers choosing what type of meat and toppings they want, on either bread or a bagel.

Growing up in an Amish community in Kentucky, Martha has been baking since she was a young child. Many of the recipes she employs at her business are ones she has been using throughout her life, she said.

“Mom has always made great breads, cinnamon rolls and donuts,” Freida said. “I remember, as a child, my aunts would come over and would help my mom make 10 to 12 dozen donuts. We would end up freezing them and having donuts for days.”

Around eight years ago, Martha began selling her homemade breads at the Columbus farmer’s market. In spite of living in a small apartment at the time, she would spend her days baking loaf after loaf in her kitchen, with nearly the entire room consumed with bread before she went to the market on the weekend.

“The first time she went, she didn’t sell a single loaf, but she just kept going,” Freida said.  “Within weeks, she was selling out every time.”

In 2014, Martha opened her bakery on Highway 9, which has become a destination for many — especially during donut day on Saturday.

“I love [baking] just as much now as before,” Martha said. “If anything, I’m more passionate about it now, with all the people coming here. I’ve always loved welcoming visitors to my home. This business is like having visitors over all the time. I just love it.”

Martha’s Amish Bakery is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call the bakery at 828-863-4643 or visit www.facebook.com/pg/coolmamasbakery.